​Hydroelectric power

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Hydroelectric power is a timeless, renewable resource that has fuelled Ontario's economic growth since the beginning of the 20th century. Today, it accounts for more than one-third of Ontario Power Generation's electricity production. Hydroelectric generation, our lowest-cost power source, produced 30.4 terawatt hours in 2015.

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The historic importance and future potential of hydroelectric power can be attributed to its low production costs, reliability, flexibility to meet both ongoing base electricity needs and peak demands, and its reliance on water — an indigenous, renewable resource.

OPG operates 66 hydroelectric stations, including a green power portfolio of 29 small hydroelectric plants, and 241 dams on 24 river systems. The smallest station has a generating capacity of just 800 kilowatts; the largest more than 1,400 megawatts.

Because the water we depend on is shared by many users, OPG maintains strong partnerships with Indigenous communities, governments, local industry, environmental groups, recreational users and others who have an interest in water and water management. Our primary partnerships focus on:

Watershed Management: balancing energy production requirements with environmental, commercial and recreational needs within a watershed.

Community Connections​: nurturing strong relationships with users of the watersheds on which our facilities are located.

Snow Accumulation

Winter snow accumulation in Ontario plays a role in determining the water levels and flow rates on river systems and lakes used by OPG's hydroelectric generating stations. Between March 1 and June 1 OPG gathers snow accumulation data and makes it available on this web site.